If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Small War in Laos?

A suspected bomb attack in central Laos killed two Chinese nationals and injured a third, according to officials.

At first I assumed this likely was UXO from the war, but the article goes on . . .

The blast occurred as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made his first visit to Laos, where he discussed a series of issues with Laotian officials, including trade, health care and how to recover unexploded ordnance left over from the Vietnam War era that is contaminating 41 of Laos's 46 poor districts.

Xaysomboun province has seen a recent spike in violent incidents. Authorities issued a curfew in the province after three soldiers and three civilians were killed in a shootout last month. Officials blamed "bandits" for the violence, but Radio Free Asia quoted an unnamed source close to the government as saying an anti-government resistance group was behind the killings.

While Lao officials like to blame the violent unrest on “bandits,” Laos are beginning to think that there is more than criminals at work this time.

The following is a list of bombings and shooting incidents reported by RFA:
•The 10-year-old daughter of a government military officer died in a shootout at the officer's residence in Xaysomboun Province on Nov. 12;
•Three soldiers were killed between Nov. 15 and Nov. 18 when they pursued the anti-government resistance group, which sustained unknown casualties;
•Between Nov. 15 and 18th, in two separate incidents in which passenger vehicles were fired upon, one person was killed and six others were injured;
• Other shootouts reported between soldiers and anti-government forces between Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, but casualties are unknown;
•Fifteen assailants on Dec. 15 shot two motorcyclists in Anouvong district of Xaysomboun province as they traveled along the road to Longchaeng district killing one and injuring another;
•Three days later, assailants shot at a truck transporting beer on Nammo bridge in Anouvong district, injuring two people ;
•On Dec. 28 a bomb damaged a truck on the road to a Phu Bia Mining Company work camp;
•A bomb was diffused by soldiers on the road to Namphanoy village on Dec. 30;
•On Jan. 14 gunmen shot up a passenger bus on Route 13 North in the Kasy district in Vientiane province, injuring one passenger;
•Three soldiers were injured on Jan. 21 on the road between the Luang Phanxay and the Phoukongkhao village;
•Two Chinese were killed and another injured in a Jan. 24 bomb blast near Pha Nok Kok village.

Discontentment among the Lao populace has focused on widespread corruption, wasteful government spending and poor delivery of government services. Some people have complained about the rapidly growing presence of Chinese investors, who are criticized for environmental damage, illegal logging, wildlife poaching and bringing vices like gambling and prostitution to rural Laos.